Nathan Stear, 20, of Pioneer Way in Bicester, appeared in Oxford Crown Court on May 2 for sentencing after he was convicted of contacting his ex-partner, who has a restraining order against him.
A jury found him guilty of the breach after they heard he called her from prison while in custody for driving offences, and months later sent her a friend request on Facebook, which was not accepted.
READ MORE:Petition launched for billionaire owner to repair Combe pub
A victim impact statement from his ex-partner, with whom he shares a son, spoke of how “petrified” she was to hear from him.
“I was absolutely petrified when this happened,” she said. “I was distraught.
“I reported it to the police straight away but I still feared that me and my son were unsafe.”
She spoke of having to relocate from her home town of Bicester, where her family and support system remain, to council-provided accommodation in an “uncertain” situation, without being able to tell anyone where she was.
Stay connected to the heart of Oxford for less! 🚨
Our flash sale is ON: get trusted local news for just £5 for 5 months or 40 per cent off an annual subscription.
Don’t miss out — subscribe now! 🗞️👇https://t.co/Vg1JkEOh4R pic.twitter.com/Pzk516N75A
— Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) April 29, 2025
The woman said: “I want to move back to Bicester but it makes me so angry, as I do not think I will ever feel safe or comfortable being there.
“I’m trying hard to move on with my life but it’s hard to do that when Nathan keeps trying to contact me.
“I’m terrified to leave the house as I am sure that he will find me. I want to be able to give my son the life he deserves but I’m not able to because of the fear I am in.”
READ MORE:Oxfordshire racing stable assistant found dead at home
Stear has 13 previous convictions for 27 offences, raging from assault to drug possession, driving offences and resisting a police officer.
In mitigation, Stear’s counsel said he “makes bad choices on the back of a chaotic lifestyle,” which saw him cared for by two class-A addicted parents, leave school at a young age, and continue to commit crimes.
However, the court heard that he has been trying to turn his life around before he turns 21 in July, complying with previous sentence orders like going through drug treatment and registering with the GP.
His counsel said: “Although the contact shouldn’t be minimised, he did not take it any further or badger her.
“He has made mistakes but he also learns lessons when he hears he has done wrong.”
READ MORE:Oxfordshire racing stable assistant found dead at home
Adding that “there is a change in this young man,” the defence counsel asked for a sentence deferral of three months to allow him to demonstrate his reformed behaviour to the court.
Passing sentence, Judge Michael Overhill KC said: “By itself, these not the most serious of breaches but it’s all adding up to paint a picture of someone who is not stupid but is behaving in an idiotic or immature manner. It’s pathetic.”
“They are silly offences which are having a profound impact on the complainant. You have heard the way it is affecting her, you out to be ashamed of yourself.”
READ MORE:Moped gathering in Abingdon park causes ‘distress’
The judge said he would defer the sentence for two months “with some reluctance,” explaining that should another breach occur Stear would face a minimum of two years in prison.
“You know that it is what you’re going to get if you put a foot wrong,” the judge added.
“The ball is now very much in your court. You have two months firstly to grow up, secondly to comply fully with your order and thirdly to commit no further offences.”
